BULLETIN 

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON 

ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION 


Engineering Experiment Station Series 





Bulletin No. 6 


ORNAMENTAL CONCRETE 

LAMP POSTS 

’ BY 

Carl Edward Magnusson 
Professor of Electrical Engineering 






SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE UNIVERSITY 

JULY, 1919 




Entered as second class matter, at Seattle, under the Act of July 16, 1894 







Publications of the Engineering Experiment Station 

University of Washington 

Bulletin No. 1—Creosoted Wood Stave Pipe and Its Effect Upon Water 

for Domestic and Irrigational Uses. 1917. 

(Bureau of Industrial Research.) 20 pp. Price, 25 cents. 


Bulletin No. 2—An Investigation of the Iron Ore Resources of the North¬ 
west. By William Harrison Whittier. 1917. 

(Bureau of Industrial Research.) 128 pp. Price, 60 cents. 

■ ' * 

Bulletin No. 3—An Industrial Survey of Seattle. By Curtis C. Aller. 

1918. 

(Bureau of Industrial Research.) 64 pp. Price, 50 cents. 

Bulletin No. 4—A Summary of Mining and Metalliferous Mineral Re¬ 
sources in the State of Washington with Bibliography. 

By Arthur Homer Fischer. 1919. 

124 pp. Price, 75 cents. 

Bulletin No. 5—Electrometallurgical and Electrochemical Industry in 

the State of Washington. By Charles Denham Grier. 

1919. 

43 pp. Price, 50 cents. 


Bulletin No. 6—Ornamental Concrete Lamp Posts. By Carl Edward 

Magnusson, 1920. 


24 pp. Price, 40 cents. 


Bulletin No. 7—Multiplex Radio Telegraphy and Telephony. 1920. 

By F. M. Ryan, J. R. Tolmie, R. O. Bach. 

Price 50 cents. 


Bulletin No. 8—Voltage Wave Analysis with Indicating Instruments. 

By Leslie Forrest Curtis. 

28 pp. Price 50 cents. 


ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION 

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON 


Engineering Experiment Station Series 


Bulletin No, 6 


ORNAMENTAL CONCRETE 

LAMP POSTS 


BY 

Carl Edward Magnusson 

i) 

PROFESSOR OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 



SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 
PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY 
July, 1919 











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Fig. 1. West Entrance, Home Economics Hall 
University of Washington 























ORNAMENTAL CONCRETE LAMP POSTS 


By C. Edward Magnusson 

Concrete lamp posts of the design shown in the accompanying 
photographs have given satisfactory service during the past eight years 
on the campus of the University of Washington.* Seventy poles were 
constructed and installed in 1911, and a second set of ninety poles of 
the same design were manufactured and placed in service in 1914. 

The ornamental character of the poles need not he discussed, as 
tile accompanying photographs of poles in position give ample evi¬ 
dence. Modifications in the color selected for the base panels and of 
the iron cap supporting the glass globe might be desirable. 

While the structural material is chiefly concrete, the nature of the 
design requires the use of iron for certain parts. Thus a central iron 
pipe forms the core of the pole; an iron plate is used as a door on one 
side of the base; on top is an iron shade holder, which supports the 
glass globe; two iron plates in the base give the required strength to 
the pedestal, and four iron bolts are embedded in the concrete sub-base 
in order to firmly hold the post in position. 


*The poles were designed and constructed by the late Mr. Frank E. Johnson, instructor in 
Electrical Engineering, who had charge of the campus lighting in 1905-15. 


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Looking North from Bagley Hall 
University of Washington 








Gravel .—In preparing the concrete, considerable care was taken 
in the selection of the gravel aggregate. A preliminary series of experi¬ 
ments was made to determine what size of gravel would produce the 
best results. Six sample blocks are shown in Figure III, for which 
the gravel was in each case passed through a narrow range of screen 
mesh. 

In the poles on the campus such sized gravel aggregate was used 
as will pass through a screen of three mesh to the inch and remain on a 
screen of six mesh to the inch. Selected roofing gravel was purchased 
and passed over two shaking screens bolted together and operated by a 
5 h. p. motor. The top screen carried the coarse gravel to one side, the 
lower screen delivered the desired aggregate, and the sand and fine 
eravel were collected in a box underneath the two screens. No sand 
was used in the concrete mixture, as this lias a tendency to give the 
surface a rough and dingy appearance. In Fig. IV is shown the 
surface of the finished concrete pole on a reduced scale. 



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Fig. III. Test Blocks, Each Eight Inches in Diameter 







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Fig. IV. Finished Surface of Concrete Pole 
* Scale in Inches 














Fig, V, Dimensions and Details 

















































































































Concrete. Two parts of cement to five parts of gravel were used 
in the preparation of the concrete. Several sample blocks of this mix- 
ture> eight inches in diameter and twelve inches long, were prepared 
and tested for compressive strength, and found to sustain from 3,000 
to 4,350 pounds per square inch. 

Design .—Complete dimensional data with details of the design are 
shown in Fig. V. 

Molding .—A photograph of the mold used is shown in Fig. VI, 
with the iron pipe core in position. Great care must be exercised in 
pouring the concrete to keep the mixture uniform in all parts of the 
mold so as to avoid streaks and bands in the finished product. The 
length of time which the cement requires to set before the molds are 
removed depends on the dryness of the weather, the temperature, the 
consistency of the mixture, and to some extent the grade of cement used. 



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Figure VI. Mold for Concrete Poles 















In warm weather, molds filled in the afternoon could be removed 
early the following morning, while if the weather was cool and eloudv, 
better results were obtained by letting the molds stand for another half 
a day or more. No special harm is done by leaving the molds on 
longer than the most desirable period, except that it requires much 
more labor to secure the desired brush finish on the surface. If the 
molds are removed before the cement has had time to acquire a sufficient 
set, corners and other parts of the pole are apt to come off with the 
molds and disfigure the cast or require much patching to make it usable. 
The poles were made in the open air, but no doubt more uniform results 

j 

could be obtained if the newly uncovered casts were under shelter and 
had protection from the direct rays of the sun. 


Finishing .—The question of finishing concrete surfaces for artistic 
effects has been a subject of extended experiments, by different Port¬ 
land cement associations. With a view of eliminating the objections to 
the lifeless, gray color of natural concrete, a series of experiments were 
made by introducing coloring matter while the mortar was being mixed, 
but the results were not encouraging. By using a dark-colored gravel, 
a pleasing contrast to the natural grayish background of the cement is 

0 

obtained. 





Fig. VII. Fire Alarm and Police Station Boxes Attached to 

Concrete Pole 








The satisfactory appearance of the concrete surface depends 
chiefly upon its finish, rather than upon any given color or texture. The 
best finish was secured by removing the molds while the concrete was 
still quite green, and then carefully brushing the surface with steel 
brushes. After the surface has been carefully brushed and allowed to 
stand a few days, the monotonous, dull stray color effect may be readily 
removed by washing with a dilute acid, followed bv a liberal rinsing 
with water through a hose. The rinsing must be thoroughly done before 
the acid has time to dry, or the surface will have a mottled, streakv 
appearance, little better in appearance than the original surface before 
applying the acid treatment. The strength of the acid solution did not 
seem to be important, but one part of commercial hydrochloric acid to 
two or three parts of water gave good results. 


Handling .—One important advantage of concrete poles is the 
possibility of manufacturing the finished article near its final location. 
To distribute the poles over the campus a suitable frame was placed on 
a low wheeled cart. The method employed for handling the poles is 
readily seen from Figures VIII and IX. 


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Fig. VIII. Rig for Moving Poles 























Fig. IX. Placing Pole in Position 













Fig. X 

Small Transformer in Base of Pole 



Globes. I'or the poles made in 1911 clear glass globes 20 inches 
in diameter were used. It was later determined that 18 inch globes of 
“Nuglass” gave satisfactory results. With translucent glass, the globe 
becomes a secondary source of illumination. This improves the appear- 
ance of the light standard and protects the eye against the intense 
brightness of the tungsten filament. 

Electrical Data. —Electric power for campus lighting is obtained 
from 60-cycle alternators in the University power house and distributed 
at 2,300 volts. The current is conducted through lead-covered cables 
in underground fiber ducts to six distributing concrete-lined manholes. 
6 by 8 feet square, and 8 to 12 feet deep, depending on the contour of 
the ground. At these distributing points the voltage is transformed 
from 2,300 volts to 240, by means of subway type transformers with 
2M>%, 5%, 7%%, and 10% taps to take care of varying degree drop 
in the feeders. From twenty to thirty poles are connected to each dis¬ 
tributing manhole. No. 8 Duplex, 600-volt, lead-covered cable is used 
for the 240-volt secondary distribution. The cable is in a two-incli 
fiber conduit with %-inch walls. In the base of each pole is a trans¬ 
former (Fig. X), by which the,voltage is reduced from 240 volts to 18.2 
or 36.4 volts, depending upon whether a hundred candlepower or a two 
hundred candlepower lamp is used. 

The above solution of the problem was probably the best that 
could be made with the type of lamps available at the time the poles 
were installed. Under present conditions, economy would be effected 
bv using series lamps with compensating reactances on the 240-volt 
secondary distribution. 



Fig. XI. From the Steps of Denny Hall 
University of Washington 

























( ost. — I lie cost of labor and material for a concrete pole at the 
point of manufacture, excluding the globe, transformer, lamp and 
overhead charges, was, both in 1911 and 1914, $14.50. The cost of iron 
poles ot a somewhat similar plain pattern used by the City of Seattle 
was about $36.00, without any trimmings, or about 2l/o times the cost 
of the concrete poles on the University campus. Disregarding overhead 
charges, the cost for the pole in place ready to give service and includ¬ 
ing the lamp, globe and special transformer, was, for 1911, $38.50, 
and in 1914 $36.70. This does not include the underground cable and 
conduit distributing system from the power house to the lamps. 

Maintenance. —The maintenance expense, as well as the first cost 

of the concrete poles, is low in comparison to iron posts. The surface 

of the concrete on the campus poles shows practically no deterioration 

after eight years of service. The concrete surface does not scale, 

crack, or corrode. Two years ago a few of the poles were washed 

with soap and water to remove soot and dirt. The exposed iron on the 

plate forming the moveable panel in the base, and the iron shade holder 

have required much more attention than the concrete. The usual diffi- 
♦ 

culties have been experienced in finding a paint that would effectively 
prevent the rusting of the iron. 


ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION 


THE STAFF 

Henry Suzzallo, Fh. D. (Columbia), LL. 1). (California), President. 

John Thomas Condon, LL. M. (Northwestern), Dean of Faculties. 

1 

Carl Edward Magnusson, Pii. D. (Wisconsin), E. E. (Minnesota), Electrical Engineering; 
Acting Director. 

Hugo Winkenwerder, M. F. (Yale), Forest Products. 

Mii.nor Poberts, A. B. (Stanford), Mining and Metallurgy. 

Henry Kreitzer Benson, Ph. D. (Columbia), Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry. 

Charles William Harris, B. S. (C. E.) (Washington), C. E. (Cornell), Civil Engineering. 

Everett Owen Eastwood, C. E., A. M. (Virginia), S. B. (Massachusetts Institute of Tech¬ 
nology), Mechanical Engineering. 

Frederick Arthur Osborn, Ph. D. (Michigan), Physics Standards and Tests. 


The Engineering Experiment Station was formally organized in 
December, 1917, in order to coordinate the engineering investigations 
in progress and to facilitate the development of industrial research 
in the Universitv. 

A large number of investigations in the industrial field have been 
in progress for many years in the University, either by the efforts 
of individual faculty members and students or through organized 
groups, such as the Timber Testing Laboratory, the Bureau of Test¬ 
ing, Radio Experiment Station, and especially the Bureau of Industrial 
Research. As an indication of the research already accomplished, 
reference is made to the important papers already published. 

The Engineering Experiment Station includes all the bureaus and 
departmental groups previously active in engineering and industrial 
research, as well as the field occupied by individual investigators. 

The scope of the work is twofold: 

(a) To investigate and to publish information concerning engin¬ 
eering problems of a more or less general nature that would be help¬ 
ful in municipal, rural and industrial affairs; 

i 

(b) To undertake extended research and to publish reports on 
engineering and scientific problems. 

The purpose of the station is to aid in the industrial development 
of the state and nation bv scientific research and bv furnishing- infor- 

" » o 

mation for the solution of engineering problems. Every effort will 



be made to cooperate effectively with professional engineers and the 
industrial organizations in the state. Investigations of primarv inter¬ 
est to the individual or corporation proposing them, as well as those 
of general interest, will be undertaken through the establishment of 
fellowships. 

The control of the Engineering Experiment Station is vested in 
an administrative staff consisting of the president of the University, 
the dean of the College of Engineering, as ex-officio director, and seven 
members of the faculty. For administrative purposes, the work of 
the station is organized into seven divisions: 

1. Forest Products. 

This division covers the field of the College of Forestry, and in¬ 
cludes wood distillation, wood preservation and cooperative work with 
the Seattle Station of the United States Timber Testing Laboratory. 

2. Mining and Metallurgy. 

This division represents the field of the College of Mines, and 
includes cooperative work with the Seattle Mining Experiment Station 
of the United States Bureau of Mines. 

3 . Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry. 

This division represents the application of chemistry to engineer¬ 
ing and industrial problems. 

4. Civil Engineering. 

This division covers the field of the Department of Civil Engin¬ 
eering, with emphasis on hydraulic and sanitary engineering and the 
testing of road and structural materials. 

5. Electrical Engineering. 

This division includes the several branches of electrical engineer¬ 
ing: electric railways, telephones, telegraphs, radio, illumination, and 
electric power. 

7. Physics Standards and Tests. 

This division is equipped with reliable physical standards, and 
the work is largely calibrating and testing of instruments and other 
physical apparatus. 

6. Mechanical Engineering. This division includes mechan¬ 
ical engineering, marine engineering, and aeronautics. 

Inquiries in regard to the work of the Engineering Experiment 
Station should be addressed to the Director. 


















































































T HE Engineering Experiment Station of the University of Washington 
was established in December, 1917, in order to coordinate investiga¬ 
tions in progress and to facilitate the development of engineering and 
industrial research in the University. Its purpose is to aid in the 
industrial development of the state and nation by scientific research and 
by furnishing information for the solution of engineering problems. 

The scope of the work is twofold:— 

(a) To investigate and to publish information concerning 
engineering problems of a more or less general nature that 
would be helpful in municipal, rural and industrial affairs. 

(b) To undertake extended research and to publish reports on 
engineering and scientific problems. 

The control of the Station is vested in a Station Staff consisting of 
the President of the University, the Dean of the College of Engineering 
as ex-officio Director, and seven members of the Faculty. The Staff 
determines the character of the investigations to be undertaken and 
supervises the work. For administrative purposes the work of the 
Station is organized into seven division? — 

1. Forest Products 

2. Mining and Metallurgy 

3. Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry 

4. Civil Engineering 

5. Electrical Engineering 

6. Mechanical Engineering 

7. Physics Standards and Tests 

The results of the investigations are published in the form of bulle¬ 
tins. Requests for copies of the bulletins and inquiries for information 
on engineering and industrial problems should be addressed to the Engin¬ 
eering Experiment Station, University of Washington, Seattle. 





